Oh crap... I guess I missed this. We just got back from CA on Sunday. When I made the original post I watched it for a few days and there were no replies, so I stopped watching. Looks like you snuck one in after I stopped looking. We WERE there from the 20th until the 27th. Rain, overcast, drizzle, rain, hail, 1 day of sunnyish weather, then more rain... What happened to 'sunny California' ??? Yeah, it was worse at home (10" of snow and constant below freezing temperatures from what I hear), but 45-60F temps and almost nothing but rain in CA ??? Gimme a break!
After my course in Stockton we stayed at the Best Western Tuscan Inn (near Fishermans Wharf) in SF for 3 nights, then at a La Quinta near the airport the night before flying home. Won't stay at that (or maybe any) La Quinta again... if I want to listen to all the traffic, sirens, and my neighbours through the walls and door all night long, and have my room illuminated by exterior lights streaming in through the windows (no matter what drapes I close), I will pitch a tent at the side of the highway next time. Having said that, I guess it wasn't that big of a deal though - we didn't get to the La Quinta until almost 9PM, and had to be up at 4AM the next day to head to the airport. Might have managed 3-4 hours sleep, but only 10 minutes travel in the AM to drop off the rental car.
When in town we toured Fisheman's Wharf, hit the aquarium, had dinner at the Boudin Cafe twice, did a downtown tour and 'cruise' out to the Golden Gate and around Alcatraz (the idea of actually landing on The Rock doesn't really do much for me), walked from the wharf area up to Telegraph Hill and the Coit Tower, and then over (down and up) to the top of Lombard St. Got to the point that we stopped for a rest break at each corner going up the hills.. not as young as I used to be I guess. The joggers running up the hills must be INSANE!
Driving around I was a bit worried about my Toyota Corolla rental -- I had to down shift to 2nd or 1st to get up some of the hills, and had fears about the brakes working well enough to stop me when going down hill!
We also hit Alamo Square (wife had to see the Painted Ladies), Marina district (I had to see boats of course - but no Trojans to be found
), drove out to Pacifica to have a glass of wine overlooking the ocean, and up to Sonoma on our last day. Oh yeah - the wife also had to hit Macy's for the shoe sale.... I guess we bypassed Muir Woods, but we just didn't have enough time to really enjoy everything the area had to offer. We may be back at some point, now that we know better what to expect, and what to see (as long as you can make the weather cooperate).
Re "as long as you don't mind riding on a 48 year old wood boat" -- super sorry I missed the chance. My father owned a 1969 Trojan Sea Skiff (28') for about 25 years. Plywood bottom, planked hull, teak decks, single engine ... It was my real introduction to boats and boating. I love the old woodies. At the risk of pissing off others on the forum ... the woodies are the 'real boats', and nothing rides or handles like 'em. Oh well... may be next time!!!